College Sports Blog

Writer: Like ex-Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, West Virginia’s Geno Smith has to deal with the ‘black tax’

During his senior year and throughout the NFL draft process, Robert Griffin III was the charismatic, respected quarterback that brought Baylor’s program from the Big 12 cellar to one of the top teams in the nation. When he was being drafted, reports from NFL scouts surfaced that questioned some of RG3′s personal traits and ethics.

‘Everybody is just assuming because of the Heisman and the socks and all that bs. . . . they are ignoring a lot of bad tape that he’s had,’ one scout said. ’I don’t think he has vision or pocket feel, which to me are the two most important components of quarterbacking. He’s just running around winging it. He’s [Michael] Vick, but not as good a thrower.’

Nolan Nawricki, and NFL scout, wrote that Smith is ‘Not a student of the game…Not committed or focused — marginal work ethic.’

USA Today writer, Jarrett Bell, had the following to say about Smith, RG3 and even Cam Newton.

Even in 2013, it’s apparent that conditions remain in this society where analysis and opinions are seemingly clouded by racial bias. It’s easy to slap a stereotypical label on a minority — from quarterbacks to the blue-collar men on the street — without the benefit of doubt.

In 2011, Nawrocki wrote that Newton had a ‘fake smile’ and questioned his work ethic as well. These three quarterbacks are all outstanding, young talents that all have different paths to the NFL. But it seems as if Nawrocki has some personal agenda of tarnishing the reputations and character of these quarterbacks.

With all these personal attacks, Newton and RG3 have found solid success in the NFL. Maybe that bodes well for Smith.

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